How to Diagnose Apraxia of Speech

Your child has reached two or three years of age and is still inconsistent in his language development. He can't seem to settle on a single pronunciation for a word, or has to make several guesses before finding a word. Should you have him checked to diagnose apraxia of speech? AOS is hard to pinpoint, but there are symptoms that indicate the need for professional help.

Things You'll Need

• Notebook and pencil
• Licensed speech therapist or clinician

Instructions

Observe Your Child to Diagnose Apraxia Of Speech

1. Start a notebook in which you will list your child's speech habits and their development or regression over a period of 3 to 6 months.

2. Write down the words for which your child has more than one expression, for instance write "bird" and after it "ba," bor," "gid" or whatever else she says to mean bird.

3. Ask the child to describe a simple a picture. Note down the words that are not logically comprehensible, for example "ga" for "boy" or "keck" for table.

4. Notice whether the child has a standard oral response to any question, such as pointing to himself and saying, "Mo."

5. Give the child commands like, "Come here," or "Put the block in my hand." Apraxics usually comprehend language they hear ("receptive" language) well, but have trouble with spoken words ("expressive" language).

6. Notice if the child "loses" words, that is, uses and understands a word for a while, then is suddenly unable to remember it.

7. Listen for prosody--sound and rhythm variations. Note down choppy, hesitant or monotone speech.

See an Expert to Diagnose Apraxia Of Speech

1. Find a reputable speech pathologist through your child's pediatrician or teacher.

2. Tell the pathologist your observations and ask about the symptoms of apraxia.

3. Find out what tests the therapist is going to use and what they measure. Usually there are several observations of the child's speech in conversation and one or two standardized tests.

4. Get a second opinion if you think it necessary.

5. Cooperate completely with your child's therapist once the diagnosis has been made. Practice whatever exercises you are assigned at home with your child regularly.

Tips & Warnings

• Apraxia, technically the inability to direct muscle movements in learned patterns, can affect other parts of the body besides the speech muscles. Have your child checked over physically before you narrow the problem down to a speech deficiency.

• A reputable speech pathologist will not be in a hurry to diagnose apraxis of speech. Make sure that your child is given a thorough examination and more than one test for the condition.

• Be careful of jumping to conclusions, especially with a nearly nonverbal child. Observe and report, but let an expert make the diagnosis.

• Do not attempt to administer therapy yourself. A licensed speech therapist or clinician will instruct you as to what you can do at home to complement your child's professional treatment.